RULES FOR WEARING A GILET

RULES FOR WEARING A GILET

There’s a lot of power in a sleeve. Leather jacket? Cool. Leather vest? The same applies to padded jackets. Slice the arms off an otherwise on point garment and you may as well accessorise with a combine harvester and the smell of pigs. But leave Britain and the gilet shakes off its bumpkin airs. Slot one under an unstructured blazer and you’re a layering don, a man who knows warmth needn’t bulge what’s tailored to fit. Italians may do it better, but you too can inject some sprezzatura into the chinless wonder’s go to garm. Here we show you how to pull of this look without looking like a farmer.

By Clement Uanseru.

Layer Takes The Cake

A gilet is a statement. So don’t double up with mouthy shirts. In fact, feel free to ditch collars entirely by opting for a long-sleeve tee or unfussy knitwear instead. Then just add an overcoat when your thermometer begins to frost up.

Put It On Mute

Neutrals are a better bet. Brights are as ill-advised on a gilet as on your red trousers. leave colours like black, grey, navy and stone are visually less punchy and have the added advantage of mixing well with the rest of your wardrobe. The double-zips and baseball jacket collar also ensure no one corners you to chat crop rotation.

Keep It Casual

You can wear a gilet with a suit. But it’s a power move. Approach it like a relaxed take on the waistcoat, one that sits well under equally chilled out tailoring. Your jacket should be unstructured don’t double-down on padding and the gilet’s fabric and colour should complement, but not match. It’s not about pretending you’re in a three-piece.